Release Day + Giveaway – EVERYTHING I LOVE (Everything) by A.K. Evans

Today is release day for EVERYTHING I LOVE, the fourth book in the adult contemporary sports romance series, Everything, by A.K. Evans. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.

SynopsisNikki Drake was just nine years old when she experienced her first heartbreak. Sixteen years and many betrayals later, she’s learned that life is what you make of it. Needing to leave the poison behind, Nikki joins her best friends and moves from the warm, sunny beaches of California to the cold, snowy mountains of Wyoming. She’s a loving and faithful friend who’s built a successful career despite the disappointments shes’ experienced. While her past hasn’t stopped her from working hard and becoming a genuine and confident woman, it has affected one small part of her. Nikki refuses to give her heart to anyone ever again.

Luke Townsend is a man most women dream about. Underneath his tall, handsome exterior he’s charming, compassionate, sensitive and loyal. A dedicated snowboarder, Luke knows what it means to work hard for what he wants. And what Luke wants is Nikki.

When Luke tells Nikki he’s fallen in love with her, she’s devastated to think she’s going to hurt him the same way others have hurt her. Having resolved to live a life without romantic love, Nikki rejects Luke. Luke can sense that she needs some time so he walks away, vowing to find a way to her heart.

Three months after she pushed him away, Nikki decides to take a chance on Luke. He is patient and understanding while she struggles to allow herself to be vulnerable with him and to find the courage to trust he won’t hurt her. But when Nikki finally hands her heart of to him, Luke shatters her world with the truth.

I’d never heard such raw emotion in his voice. I couldn’t say no, so I stretched my body out on the couch and rested my head in his lap. His hand immediately went to my hair while his other arm draped over my body just below my breasts.

My eyes found his as his hand stroked through the hair on my head. It was nice. Within minutes, I felt my eyelids grow heavy. I tried to fight to stay awake, but I couldn’t. I was too exhausted. In fact, I was so tired that I was sure I started dreaming. Luke was in my dream, cradling my head in his lap and stroking my hair.

He was doing that, providing me with comfort I hadn’t had since before my dad left, when I heard him say with such determination it felt like a promise, “I’m going to put you back together, baby girl.”

Even though it was odd, and likely because I was dreaming, I accepted his promise and whispered, “It won’t be easy.”

“You’ll be worth it.”

The next morning, I woke up alone, tucked in my bed. I realized that Luke must have brought me to my bedroom last night, where it seemed he took the liberty to make me comfortable. He removed my shoes, jeans, shirt, and bra, but left me in a camisole and panties.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to recall the dream I had. In bringing that to the forefront of my mind, I realized just how much I wished it were true. I wished someone would have the determination to put me back together knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but still believing I’d be worth it.

About the AuthorA.K. Evans is a married mother of two boys residing in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. After graduating from Lafayette College in 2004 with two degrees (one in English and one in Economics & Business), she pursued a career in the insurance and financial services industry. Not long after, Evans realized the career was not for her. She went on to manage her husband’s performance automotive business and drive the shop race cars for the next thirteen years. While the business afforded her freedoms she wouldn’t necessarily have had in a typical 9-5 job, after eleven years she was no longer receiving personal fulfillment from her chosen career path. Following many discussions, lots of thought, and tons of encouragement, Andrea decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

Between her day job, writing, and homeschooling her two boys, Evans is left with very little free time. When she finds scraps of spare time, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, watching NY Rangers hockey, dancing, and vacationing with her family. Andrea, her husband, and her children are currently working on taking road trips to visit all 50 states (though, Alaska and Hawaii might require flights).